trashed mr2, need advice

[Clip]

hey all, figured this would go in the off topic.

it goes like this:

86 mr2 (aw11) NA, manual
4 flat, bald tires
broken driver side window
moldy seats
body has a few small (silver dollar) dents
engine is dirty, but complete
radio is missing

its been parked for a few years, and im thinking of making the guy (towing company owner) an offer for $250-300. what are the chances of the engine being too far gone to use? how would i go about trying to start it up (fogging oil) or checking to see that it will run/be rebuildable if need be?

i need a DD while at college and this looks like itll be a winner depending on the costs.

advice?

pics on the way

 

[suprarx7nut]

I'd love to find a little project like that if i had an extra grand to spare.

I'm trying to do it this summer. Tax refund here i come.

 

[swaq]

If it runs well then $250-300 could be reasonable. But without that I wouldn't go much over $100-150.

My brother bought a 1987 MR2 for $400, non-running but interior in good condition. He regrets buying it, and he definitely over-payed. The transmission is more or less shot (and it's an automatic, he wanted a 5-speed). The lug nuts won't come off. It's just sat for months since he's bought it...

If you're going to get a project car make sure you know what you're getting into.

 

[Clip]

should i put some oil in the cylinders and start after its sat for awhile, or turn the engine over by hand? whats the best way to see if itll turn over without messing something up?

 

[foreverpsycotic]

Ask the owner to start it. If its siezed, offer him $100 and find another motor.

 

[Clip]

sorry for all the noob questions but heres another one:

how much damage could happen to the engine if its sat for 3, 4 years. examples, points to look for?

 

[Poodles]

worse case scenario, moist air and/or water got into a cylinder or two and rusted the walls of the cylinder...

It would be nice to save the car though, I don't see many on the road...

 

[Clip]

rust = pull all pistons out of cylinder and hone it/machine it depending on how bad it is?

i dont want to have to find a machinist since ive heard most are horrible around here, by honing could i get tolerances close enough to standard if the rust isnt that heavy (if i needed to replace the pistons/rings?

 

[Wills7MGTE]

if the motors bad it's 3SGTE time

 

[Clip]

i wish. this has to be done on an extremely lean budget. the way i see it, ill have to get tires, a window, and a seat cover. if i find out it doesnt run, then i gotta rebuild what i can in the engine to get it to work. i admit itll probably be an extreme form of half-assiness but its only til i have enough to swap in a 4agze.

 

[WetBoostedDreams]

I vote for trying to save it if you're able- I've had three MK1 MR2s (two were supercharged) and they're great little cars. I know what you mean about doing this on a budget though, so I'd suggest planning out the worst-case scenario costs (engine, brakes, tranny) and figuring out if that's a viable option.

Tires aren't terribly expensive for that car, especially if you buy them online. You could probably find another window at a junkyard for pretty cheap. Seat covers are, what, $30-$40 or so? The biggest expense would be the drivetrain if it's shot. A replacement 4A-GE shouldn't be more than $500-$600 from an engine importer I think.

Keep us updated

 

[Mk3runner]

Daily driver = honda, no bs. cheap and efficient.

but since i didn't read too much into it, if you already have it then just TLC maybe.

 

[Adrian98]

you'll spend more fixing it than to find a decent one

 

[Clip]

used 4agzes are around 900-1200. my gf's got an 87 4age and i love it.

heres the plan: buy some of the yokohama s-drives to replace it now, get some junkyard seats or seat covers (found a set of celica gt-s seats for 100, with rails). we're checking on a window from a part-out, and i think thatll be about all i need to drive it. maybe redo the brake pads, get the rotors turned and rebuild the calipers ($5 apiece). if i have to put new gaskets in it, complete set is around $200. hopefully itll come true.

adrian, around here we have absolutely no supras or mr2s (none in the yards, either). if i have to get one ill spend a shitload to get it here.

 

[WetBoostedDreams]

If you're not already on the MR2 forums, my favorite is www.mr2oc.com. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on there as well as listings for parts/ cars for sale.

 

[Clip]

yeah my g/f is always on there. i like the site (tons of good info) but bill has a massive amount of categories compared to SM. also seems like they're a bit tighter than we are around here.

what if the engine does have cylinder rust (light/surface)? will i be able to clean it out with a hone and still stay within the stock specs? would i be able to use stock (not .xx over) pistons/rings?

 

[Poodles]

a SMALL amount of rust the rings will just scarpe off and wear back in... if the walls are pitted, you're screwed...

The BEST thing you can do is try and turn the crank by hand, if it turns, you're probably good enough to hook up a battery and do a compression test.

 

[Clip]

thanks poodles, and turn by hand = slow w/ breaker bar?

 

[Clip]

update:

checked the mr2's oil today and it was past the full mark on the dipstick. seemed a little bit thinner than normal 10w30, but didnt smell like gas. if the oil was mixed with water, it would be muddy or separated, right?

 

[ratpick63]

Go for it. I got an '89 Pontiac Grand Prix for free a couple years ago after it had been sitting in an impound lot for almost three years. I hooked up and fresh battery and after a bit of cranking it fired right up. Was "driveable" just like that. Of course it ran like crap til fresh gas and all the fluids changed, and tires had flat spots from sitting. But I really never did anything else to it and drove it every now and then for over a year before I sold it. Sometimes you can get lucky. Well, kind of lucky, it was the absolutely least thrilling pile of suckiness I've ever owned, but sure beat walking.